Papa's Got a Brand New...Bling (Late July 2008)

[nomorekaraoke]

It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life--

Wrong theme song, even though the theme certainly applies. It's a new day in Lorne's life. He quite enjoys dawn, thank you very much. He's found a new place to live - another penthouse in the middle of Youdon'tneedtoknow-ville. And recently, he's been indulging more and more in taking breathers at Milliways.

In short: good times all around.

Comments

[nomorekaraoke]

Indeed it is. Unseen by the human, Lorne's mouth pulls into a slight, amused smirk. I see what you're doing, there.

"A neutral party of considerable means."

[stilljustandrew]

He glances up. After a beat, his expression goes rueful, and maybe a bit apologetic.

"Sorry. I don't ever really go off duty all the way."

[nomorekaraoke]

"Don't apologize, sugar pie. Neither do I, most of the time."

Ding goes the elevator as they reach ground floor. As Lorne promised, the mirrored wall behind them slides to the side, revealing a very snazzy lobby. Large marble staircase to the left, reception desk to the right, complete with polished surfaces and perfectly primped desk clerks who chirp 'Good afternoon, gentlemen' in a friendly yet professional chorus. All of them seem human at first glance, but like they say, the devil is in the details.

[stilljustandrew]

Or in this case, the demons.

Andrew's eyebrows go up. Considerably.

He doesn't have any trouble identifying the desk clerk on the right; the crest of feathers has been dyed black, but it's still recognizeably not hair. The one on the left, with her faintly metallic skin tones and her carefully sharpened and polished vestigial earclaws, is a race he doesn't recognize, though -- possibly a hybrid.

[nomorekaraoke]

Again Lorne allows a small smile of amusement ghost over his lips as he folds himself into a smooth bow. "Good afternoon, darlings."

Holding the door open for Andrew, the bow eases itself into an open, friendly gesture for him to go ahead.

[stilljustandrew]

It's one of the first really hot days of the summer, and the heat hits even harder when one's just emerging from the pleasant chill of an air-conditioned subway car.

At least aboveground there's a slight breeze.

"You wanted sun," Andrew says ruefully.

[nomorekaraoke]

One of the biggest advantages of having a just slightly warmer body temp than the average human is that the heat of summer doesn't get to you quite as fast.

All that aside, Lorne is having the time of his life. "There'll be no raining on my parade today, babycakes, that's for sure. You know any good place around here for ice cream?"

Glee!face is his face.

[stilljustandrew]

It really is, and Andrew can't help but return that grin in kind.

"There's a Baskin & Robbins a few blocks down from here, I think?"

[nomorekaraoke]

Lorne gasps delightedly. "Icecream and cake! Even better!" There's a definite bounce to his step as he hurries along.

[stilljustandrew]

"...Now I've got that song in my head," says Andrew reproachfully.

[nomorekaraoke]

"I don't know what you're talking about," Lorne says with an impish grin that belies the innocent tone of his voice.





And then he starts humming.

[stilljustandrew]

Andrew starts to laugh. "Oh I am so going to get you for that --"

[nomorekaraoke]

"Nah," Lorne retorts. "You know you love it. And besides, you try anything, I'll do the dance."

A beat, then, mock ominously. "You don't want to see me do the dance."

[stilljustandrew]

There is Eyeing. Somewhere between speculative and suspicious.

"You're not bluffing, are you."

[nomorekaraoke]

The demon in disguise arches one of his eyebrows (eyebrows are so cool by the by), and then shrugs nonchalantly. "I wasn't aware we're playing poker."

In other words: do you feel lucky, punk?

[stilljustandrew]

A long beat.



"Yeah so about that whole ice cream concept," he says.

[nomorekaraoke]

"Yes? Just lead the way, compadre."

Skipping a step to get into Andrew's walking rhythm, Lorne leans in slightly. "So... Baskin Robbins? Is it anything like Ben & Jerry's?"

[stilljustandrew]

"They're not as creative about their flavors," he says, "but about the same quality of stuff. And they do these really good blended ice-cream-and-frozen-coffee drinks."

[nomorekaraoke]

"Excellent." He smiles, as excited about this as the proverbial kid in the candy store. "Got any favorites?"

[stilljustandrew]

Andrew grins. "How about I show you when we get there? You can get a free taste of anything, if you want to try it out."

[nomorekaraoke]

"You do?" He gapes, feeling like such a tourist all of a sudden - which, all things concerned, isn't too far off the mark. "Well come on, what are we waiting for? Hurry up before ya start melting, cream cake, chop chop!"

[stilljustandrew]

He starts to laugh. He can't help it.

"Yessir," he tosses off, picking up the pace to match Lorne's stride.

[nomorekaraoke]

It doesn't take them long at all to see the sign hanging over the entrance, and before you can say 'sugar rush', Lorne's holding the door open for his friend, and lavishly, to boot. It's such a strange thing; he feels rejuvenated.

"After you, kind Sir."

[stilljustandrew]

The cool air inside breaks over them as they step in, mild and sweet with the faint scents of a double dozen different flavorings: fruits and nuts and extracts and spices, caramel and coffee and the ever-beloved chocolate. Two or three other people are inside, lingering over their selections; there's no place inside the shop to sit down, which means customers aren't likely to hang around once they've bought their ice cream.

Andrew gestures to the menu on the wall, detailing different desserts and their prices, and to the bank of ice cream freezer space with the names of the flavors prominently displayed. "What do you like the look of?"

[nomorekaraoke]

At first glance, the menu is daunting with its array of choices and pretty pictures and not always too helpful names. He shrugs, feeling like a tourist again, and not minding too much, as a matter of fact.

Because being a tourist is fun. "Oh, I don't know. I love the idea of cherries and rum, but... You can't ever go wrong with chocolate, right?"